Premier Li meets Central, Eastern European leaders

Premier Li Keqiang and the leaders from the 16 Central and Eastern European countries have gathered in the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou for the fourth China-CEE leaders’ meeting on Nov 24.

Premier Li addressed both the leaders’ “16+1” round table meeting and an economic and trade forum. The meeting is the highlight of this year’s China-CEE cooperation framework. The theme is “New beginning, New fields, New vision”.

The meeting is expected to propose new measures and expand new fields for cooperation, covering inter-connectivity, investment and trade, finance, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges. The 16+1 meeting mechanism was launched in 2012.

Traditional friendship and China-Europe relations have both benefited. Premier Li says China is ready to cooperate comprehensively with Europe, including on the security front.

Premier Li said: “I’d like to say that China and European countries are also working together to ensure peace and stability. And China will play a constructive role. We’ll promote practical cooperation with CEE countries as a way to advance comprehensive cooperation with the EU and Europe.”